taper
verb (used without object)
to become smaller or thinner toward one end.
was tapering
-
past progressiveof taper.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Flood had previously warned that CTA buying was tapering off.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 27, 2026
Shares of mid-sized U.S. banks fell after a string of earnings reports heightened investor concerns that the boost to lenders from the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes was tapering off.
From Reuters ● Oct. 20, 2023
Minor flooding occurred Saturday on several northern rivers and was tapering off in most cases.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2023
The rain was tapering off closer to first pitch, but there was still a chance for scattered thunderstorms into the evening.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 29, 2019
Then, because business was tapering off, he had time to give me a demonstration of how to make the shine rag pop like a firecracker.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
